Doughnuts to dollars: Krispy Kreme Challenge is Saturday

By Lindsee GentrySpecial to The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 4:27 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 4:27 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | Run a mile, eat a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts and run another mile. This isn't a fraternity dare, it's the Krispy Kreme Challenge, a fundraiser for the local Big Brothers Big Sisters and the YMCA.

Facts

About the event

The two-mile race, with nearly 500 runners expected to participate, will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the University Orthopaedic Clinic, 305 Paul W. Bryant Drive. Participants can preregister online at tuscaloosakrispykremechallenge.eventbrite.com through today for $25. Registration on Saturday will be limited and the cost will be $35.

Inspired by Big Brothers Big Sisters as a way to “spice up” its annual race, the Krispy Kreme challenge is open to casual runners, as well as those who want to compete for cash prizes provided by Innisfree Irish Pub, said Danielle McInerny, CEO and executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Among those prizes are nylon sports bags from Bryant Bank and T-shirts for the first 500 registered. All participants will have a chance to win a Kindle Fire and Chuck's Fish or Five Bar gift certificates.

Runners and spectators can also expect to see local notables such as University of Alabama mascot Big Al, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and members of the University of Alabama gymnastics, cheerleading and football teams. The response from UA students has been greater than expected, McInerny said.

“We never expected them to come to us and offer to help,” she said. “It's really renewed my faith in college students.”

Several sororities and fraternities are competing to have the largest number of participants. Members of Delta Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Epsilon, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Phi Kappa Sigma have been particularly involved in volunteering, and members will also run on Saturday, said Walt Larisey, CEO of the Tuscaloosa YMCA.

Many sorority members have become big sisters over the last few months and are excited to help fund the program with the fundraiser Saturday, said Kelly Hite, a Kappa at UA and a big sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“This event is extremely important for the program because they need money to get kids off of their wait list,” Hite said. “I have been a big (sister) for about three months now, and it has already made a difference in my life, so I want more and more people to be able to have that experience.”

While Big Brothers Big Sisters has been able to fund many pairings already, this event will greatly help match students with mentors, McInerny said. The cost of pairing a child for one year is about $600, she said.

All proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the YMCA. Krispy Kreme will donate the doughnuts for the event, McInerny said. Though similar Krispy Kreme Challenges are held each year, other Krispy Kremes do not supply the doughnuts for free.

“It's a new event, but the response has been better than expected,” Larisey said. “It supports a local business destroyed by the (April 27, 2011) tornado and is a good way to incorporate many people in the community.”

The YMCA will use money raised to help fund their programs and scholarships for local youths.

To be eligible for the cash prizes — $300 for first place, $200 for second and $100 for third — participants must eat all dozen doughnuts in the middle of the race. However, participants may eat as many, or few, as they wish.

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